Welcome to the 2019
Gala Garden Show
by SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL OF SEQUIM

Spring is almost here! And so is the Soroptimist Gala
Garden Show! While this event is now in its 21st year,
Soroptimist International of Sequim (SIS) has been
serving the community for more than 70 years.
The two-day show brings together products and
professional services of horticultural- and gardenrelated businesses in an inviting and informative venue.
Soroptimists plant the seeds of gardening and community. Plants need nourishment to grow, and in the big
picture, money is the nourishment that allows SIS
members to do their work.
SIS is a nonprofit organization, and the annual Gala
Garden Show is its main fundraiser.
Over the years, the Soroptimist Gala Garden Show has
grown to be the biggest garden show on the Olympic
Peninsula. Always on the third weekend in March, folks
put it on their calendars so they don’t miss it.
SIS is committed to education, funding high school
scholarships and continuing education scholarships, as
well as the Live Your Dream Award and the Youth Citizens Award. SIS also donates to First Teacher, Healthy
Families of Clallam County, which includes Rose House
(a shelter for victims of domestic violence), Sequim
Community Aid and the Boys & Girls Clubs of the
Olympic Peninsula — just to name a few.
Soroptimists are known to spring into action as they
live their mission, working to improve the lives of

women and girls through programs leading to social
and economic empowerment.
Become empowered — add spring to your step and to
your garden and stop by the 21st annual Soroptimist

Gala Garden Show set for March 16 and 17.
For additional information about the show, flip
through the pages of this special section or visit
sequimgardenshow.com.

sOrOPTIMIsT GaLa Garden shOW 2019

21st annual Soroptimist Gala Garden Show speakers
2:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.
“The Art and Science of Fertilizers”
All presentations are free of charge for Gala Garden Show attendees. Presented by Muriel Nesbitt
The fee to enter the show is $5 each day for adults.
The most often asked questions at garden clinics are about
soil
and fertilizers.
Tickets can be purchased at the door either day of the event.
Veteran Master Gardener Muriel Nesbitt will talk about the
Children 12 and younger receive free admission and must be accomart and science of fertilizing your garden — what to add, how
panied by an adult.
much and when.
Nesbitt will explain how to maximize the health of home
For additional information about the Clallam County Master Gardeners
garden
plants while avoiding harm to the environment during
who will be speaking and the keynote speaker, turn to Page 4.
her presentation.

by SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL OF SEQUIM

SATURDAY, MARCH 16

DEKKER

WILLIAMS

SUNDAY, MARCH 17

DANFORD

BARTON

10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
“Expert Panel: Ask Your Local Master Gardener”
Presented by Keith Dekker, Audreen Williams, Jan Danford and Chris Barton
The panel members are WSU-certified Clallam County Master Gardeners, and each
have their own specialties and interests.
They will welcome questions from the audience on any gardening topic, answer what
they can and direct the audience to helpful online resources.
11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
“Vegetable Growing 101”
Presented by Bob Cain
Whether new to the Olympic Peninsula or new to vegetable
growing, Bob Cain is the expert on growing veggies all year long.
Cain will talk about what new and current residents of the
area need to consider to successfully grow vegetables.
This will include information about timing, varieties, soils and
ways to grow more Pacific Northwest-friendly exotic vegetables.
Cain shares fun, but science-based instruction, during this and
his many other presentations.

BE SAFE THIS SPRING • CALL BEFORE YOU DIG!
Practice safety this Spring! If you have
landscaping or other outdoor projects in
mind, remember to Call Before You Dig to
have underground power or other utilities
located and marked for safety.
It’s easy! Simply dial “811” a few days prior
to digging and tell the operator about
your plans and in a few days they’ll send a
locator out!

CAIN

1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
“A Tasty Approach to Landscaping: Berries”
Presented by Jeanette Stehr-Green
What better way to promote sustainable gardening than to
incorporate berries into your landscape?
Jeanette Stehr-Green, fondly called the “berry lady,” will share
her love and extensive knowledge about growing berries on the
Olympic Peninsula.
Stehr-Green’s talk will focus on considerations when using
berries in the landscape, a beautiful and delicious alternative to
ornamental plants.

sOrOPTIMIsT GaLa Garden shOW 2019

1 p.m.
“Creating Permaculture Landscaping”
Keynote Speaker: Jessi Bloom, author, award-winning
ecological landscape designer and speaker
What is permaculture, you ask? It is a huge topic — a concept
that has been around a long time but is coming to the forefront
in gardening. Maybe you already know a little bit about permaculture but couldn’t figure out how to apply it to your garden.
Bloom will explain what permaculture is and how you can
BLOOM
apply it to your backyard space. Even if you never want to have
a full permaculture property, there are a lot of benefits if you incorporate just a few
aspects into your garden.

www.clallampud.net
Wednesday, March 6, 2019

932318918

STEHR-GREEN

NESBITT

3

ABOUT THE SHOW’S SPEAKERS

Clallam County Master Gardeners will provide expert
advice, growing tips to Gala Garden Show attendees
by SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL OF SEQUIM

Below you will find a short biography for each Clallam
County Master Gardener making a presentation at the
2019 Gala Garden Show. For details about when each
Master Gardener will speak at the show, turn to Page 3.
CHRIS BARTON
Chris Barton, a Master Gardener since 2016, came to
the program as a professor of biology. Since becoming a
Master Gardener, Barton has used her science background to adapt her gardening skills to the microclimates prevalent on the Olympic Peninsula.
Barton’s work as the co-manager of the Cottage
Garden area at the Woodcock Demonstration Garden in
Sequim has helped inform her views on water management and pest management.
BOB CAIN
Bob Cain is a veteran of the Clallam County Master
Gardeners, having been a member since 2009.
He earned his undergraduate and master degrees in
biology and chemistry and has a doctorate in chemistry.
He has 40 years of experience growing vegetables in
Scotland, Ireland, Colorado and Washington.
He writes a monthly article on plant disease for the
Clallam County Master Gardener newsletter and is a
frequent contributor to gardening columns in the local
newspaper.
Cain is the 2009 Master Gardener Intern of the Year,

2011 Master Gardener of the Year and was the manager of the Woodcock Demonstration Garden for seven
years, as well as a past president and a board member
of the Master Gardener Foundation of Clallam County.
JAN DANFORD
After teaching overseas for 23 years, Jan Danford
moved to Sequim in 2013 and went right back to school
to become a Master Gardener.
She was awarded Intern of the Year in 2013 and hasn’t
slowed down since. Danford is currently the chair of the
Woodcock Demonstration Garden.
Danford’s current passion is getting children
involved with gardening through Master Gardener
programs at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Olympic
Peninsula and the Youth Enrichment Program.
KEITH DEKKER
Keith Dekker has been a horticulturist for more than
40 years. The last 25 of those years have been focused on
comprehensive residential landscapes in the Pacific
Northwest.
As a Master Gardener and active volunteer with Plant
Amnesty, he contributes to the community by teaching
classes and giving talks to promote sustainable gardening.
He has an impressive wealth of information based on
study and practical experience.
MURIEL NESBITT
Muriel Nesbitt, a retired geneticist, is a proven

educator who taught biology for 35 years at University
of California San Diego. From 2009 to 2012 she was the
Master Gardener Coordinator and remains a leader,
teaching courses, giving lectures and sharing her
knowledge.
Nesbitt’s current interests include using science and
experience in her own garden to grow clean, nutritious
food and flowers for the bees.
JEANETTE STEHR-GREEN
Jeanette Stehr-Green has been a WSU-certified Clallam County Master Gardener since 2003.
She enjoys teaching others about gardening and writes
articles for both the Peninsula Daily News and the
Sequim Gazette.
Stehr-Green also participates in a monthly gardening
call-in program on KONP. She is a berry enthusiast and
grows strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and blueberries in her home garden.
AUDREEN WILLIAMS
Audreen Williams has been a Clallam County Master
Gardener since 2012 and was 2014 Clallam County
Master Gardener of the Year.
Her favorite Master Gardener volunteer activities
occur at the Port Angeles 5th Street Community Garden,
where she oversees the Master Gardener’s vegetable
plots, assists the 4-H Garden Club and coordinates the
popular Saturday Garden Walks. The walks are held
April through September on every second Saturday.

Keynote speaker is a best-selling author, award-winning designer
inspiring, changing the way people integrate animals
into their landscapes.
The Gala Garden Show’s keynote speaker, Jessi Bloom,
She also co-authored the best-selling “Practical Permais a best-selling author, award-winning ecological landculture” and “The Wetland Handbook: A Community
scape designer and speaker.
Guide to Growing Native Plants.”
She owns N.W. Bloom EcoLogical Landscapes, based
Her latest book, “Creating Sanctuary: Sacred Garden
near Seattle, which is known as an innovator and leader Spaces, Plant-Based Medicine, and Daily Practices to
in the field of permaculture design, sustainable construc- Achieve Happiness and Well-Being,” was released in the
tion and land management.
fall of 2018.
Bloom’s work has been recognized by government
Bloom’s work has appeared nationally in Better Homes
agencies and green industry organizations and makes
and Gardens, Sunset, The New York Times, Fine Gardenheadlines in national media.
ing, PBS’s “Growing a Greener World TV,” Martha StewHer work as a designer and teacher also is shared with art Living, Mother Earth News and many other large
nonprofits and schools and includes teaching wellness for media outlets.
speaker Jessi Bloom’s latest book, “Creating Sanctuary: Sacred
the body, mind and soul.
Recognition and accolades for her work include awards Keynote
Garden Spaces, Plant-Based Medicine, and Daily Practices to Achieve
Bloom lives near Seattle with her two sons on their
from the state Department of Ecology, the American
Happiness and Well-Being,” was released in the fall of 2018.
permaculture homestead, which is full of functional garHorticultural Society, Pacific Horticulture and Sunset
dens and rescue animals.
magazines, the Washington State Nursery & Landscape
Bloom has built many popular display gardens at
Her first best-selling book, “Free-Range Chicken
Association and the Washington Association of Landthe Northwest Flower and Garden Show and has won
Gardens,” has been praised for being informative and
scape Professionals.
several gold medals for her designs.
Soroptimist Gala Garden Show 2019
4 Wednesday, March 6, 2019

The Gala Garden Show brings vendors from across
the Northwest together for two days to help Olympic
Peninsula gardeners discover new products and services.
Each year a featured vendor is selected, and a returning vendor is highlighted.
FEATURED VENDOR
This year, Bonsai Akira was selected as the show’s
featured vendor.
Lucy Davenport started Bonsai Akira in her Portland,
Ore., garden studio in the summer of 2015 to promote
the practice of bonsai with species grown in Pacific
Northwest gardens.
Today, Bonsai Akira is a fully-licensed nursery, that
features products and services beyond just bonsai trees,
including classes, one-on-one instruction, custom designs,
special events, bonsai pottery and more.
From lilacs to conifers, hinoki cypress to viburnums
and winterhazel to Japanese maples, these flowering
shrubs and small garden trees grown as bonsai can bring
four seasons to any garden or patio.
Gala Garden Show attendees will have the chance to
view and purchase a variety of blooming species and
conifer bonsai during the event.
Soroptimist Gala Garden Show 2019

In addition, Bonsai Akira will offer kokedama, or
moss plantings, made from a variety of flowers, ferns
and plants.
“My belief is that no garden should be without the
charm of plants in miniature,” Davenport stated on her
website. “They speak to us deeply of nature and our
connection to it, in the voices of trees, mirroring the
harmony of nature in a scale that is intimate.”
“Akira means brilliance or clarity,” she added.
For additional information about Bonsai Akira, visit
bonsaiakira.com or call 503-720-3113.
FEATURED RETURNING VENDOR
Airport Garden Center, 2200 W. Edgewood Drive, Port
Angeles, was selected as the Gala Garden Show’s featured returning vendor. The business has been a
vendor at the show since 2002.
The full-service garden center is known for its diverse
selection of quality plants, tools, garden supplies, pottery,
gifts, pet products and more.
In addition, knowledgeable staff at Airport Garden
Center provide sound advice to area residents to help
make their gardening experiences successful and
enjoyable.
This year, attendees can expect to see a wide assortment of items from Airport Garden Center’s garden and

Lucy Davenport, owner of Bonsai Akira, was selected as the 2019 Gala
Garden Show’s featured vendor.

gift departments, including a selection of houseplants,
metal and iron work, fountains, unique gift items and, of
course, a wide range of perennial plants.
In addition, Airport Garden Center staff will decorate
the entrance to the show to welcome event attendees.
For more information about Airport Garden Center,
visit airportgarden.biz or call 360-457-8462.
Wednesday, March 6, 2019

5

SHOW ARTIST

Watercolor artist
inspired by area
gardeners
by SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL OF SEQUIM

We are often inspired
when we view a garden or
an area that reaps with the
colors of nature, and that is
true of our featured artist,
Melissa Penic.
Penic’s artwork, “Fancy
Fenceline,” is just that … an
inspiration.
“It impressed me that the
gardener would decorate for
the public in such a humble
PENIC
place,” Penic said.
It brought her to leave her normal style of doing
Melissa Penic was selected as the 2019 Gala Garden Show artist. Her watercolor, “Fancy Fenceline,” will be available to purchase during a
single-flower blooms and create the piece Soroptimist
silent auction at the 21st annual show, held March 16 and 17 in Sequim.
International of Sequim recognized as their theme for
the 21st annual Gala Garden Show.
Penic entered the world of watercolors in 1990 when
Penic said she is looking forward to sharing more of
Prior to her journey into watercolors, Penic did fabric
she took a class by Judy Priest at Peninsula College. The painting and stained glass.
her works at the garden show and the opportunity to
class provided Penic with a lot of satisfaction, eventually
meet the winner of “Fancy Fenceline, “which will be
She’s had number of one-woman shows, including
leading to awards and recognition for her work.
available through a silent auction.
showings at the Blue Whole Gallery in Sequim.

Women
OLYMPIC PENINSULA

IN BUSINESS
AD DEADLINE:
Friday, March 15
PUBLISHES:
In Peninsula Daily News and
Sequim Gazette
on Wednesday, April 10

Our Olympic Peninsula is continuously cultivating
amazing women who are leading the way in different
areas of business.
From shop boutiques to farm ventures, from banking
firms to restaurants and beyond women are a driving
force behind our communities.

BIG PARKING CHANGES AT THE SHOW THIS YEAR

Please be watchful of police volunteers as they guide you into the parking lot with
a different pattern than in the past. Be aware of former entrances now being used
as exits and follow our brightly colored signage to your prime parking spot. The
stadium parking lot to the east of Helen Haller Elementary School, 350 W. Fir St. in
Sequim, also is available. Please do not block the driveway of a private residence.

NOW is the time to plant bamboo.
Clumping Bamboo - stays where you plant it
Great for privacy, covering an ugly view, keeping down
noise, dust or car headlight - and it’s very beautiful!

Master Gardeners and all of our
Garden Club volunteers for the years
of support building the garden
and teaching our members
this lifelong skill.

Soroptimist Gala Garden Show 2019

Gala Garden Show attendees who purchase a raffle ticket will have a
chance to win this handmade Adirondack chair and table donated
by Mike’s Cedar Works.

Great raffle prizes
up for grabs
Sequim Fresh catering to deliver tasty
meals, treats to hungry attendees in
the show’s popular Garden Cafe
Soroptimist members will prepare and serve delectable delights in the Garden Cafe during the 2019 Gala Garden Show, held March 16 and 17.

by SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL OF SEQUIM

Who doesn’t like a great raffle? The raffle at the Gala
Garden Show impresses attendees year after year. This
year, it will be another pleaser with a fabulous quilt from
Sunbonnet Sue Quilt Club, high-quality craftsmanship
garden furniture from Mike’s Cedar Works, a fine art
photography print from Ernst Fine Art Photography and
a tour of The Bloedel Reserve with a night stay at the
Suquamish Clearwater Resort and Casino (dinner
included.) These and many more outstanding donations
from business owners throughout Clallam County and
the show’s vendors will be a part of the raffle.
Tickets are $2 each, and you will have your choice of
which item you want to try to win. We always call the
winner, so you do not need to be present to win.

by SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL OF SEQUIM

Paulette and Rick Hill, owners of Sequim Fresh, will
bring all the makings for culinary pleasures served in
the Garden Café at the 21st annual Gala Garden Show.
The cafe will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days
of the show.
On Saturday, the café will feature white bean chicken

chili and hearty vegetable soup, along with chicken pasta
salad and rolls. On Sunday, beef barley mushroom or
roasted tomato pumpkin soup will be served, along with
chicken pasta salad and rolls.
Sweet delights will be offered along with coffee by
Rainshadow Café and Rainshadow Coffee Roasters, as
well as tea, lemonade and bottle water.
Fees vary for food and beverages by selection.

including CAUTION, WARNING, and DANGER.
Labels won’t necessarily tell you if a chemical is
dangerous for the environment, water supplies,
or ﬁsh and wildlife. Chemicals can concentrate
up the food chain to a toxic level in larger animals
and can have harmful long-term effects with low
exposures over long time periods.

Moderate Risk
Waste Facility

“Household
Hazardous Wastes”
include...

Bees can pick up the pesticides and carry it back
to the hive, killing off the entire colony.
No bees: no honey, no pollination, no ﬂowers and
no fruit.

Don’t pour used oil, antifreeze or
paint down a street grate, on the
road, or on the ground.
These chemicals could end up in our water
supply!

Don’t use old paint.

Old paint is very toxic, likely containing lead and
mercury. Take old paint to the Moderate Risk
Waste Facility at the Regional Transfer Station.